‘Fantastic asset for the area’ is launched at fair

Ben O’Connell

The latest edition of a popular visitor guide for the north Northumberland coast was launched today.

The 2016/17 Northumberland Coast AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty) Visitor Guide was available for the first time at the Alnwick Tourism Fair, which took place in Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre.

This year, the AONB Partnership has produced 10,000 extra copies to meet demand for this popular publication, which now has a print run of 50,000.

This is the fifth version of the guide, which is designed for post-arrival use by visitors, and it includes articles on wildlife, historical features and geology as well as events, maps and places to visit.

The cover features a stunning image of Holy Island by local photographer Emma Rothera, who beat 103 other entries in the annual AONB photography competition, run in partnership with the Johnston Press Northumberland titles, including the Gazette.

Jeff Sutheran, from the award-winning St Cuthbert’s House B&B in Seahouses, said: “The Visitor Guide is always very popular with our guests who use it to plan their time here; it’s a fantastic asset for the area.”

Coun Allan Hepple, cabinet member for economic growth, said he was delighted about the extra 10,000 copies as it has been extremely popular and ‘we are keen to ensure it is available all year’.

The guide will be available at tourist information centres and other locations up and down the coast and is downloadable now from the new Northumberland Coast AONB website – www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org

You can also contact the office on 01670 620306 for copies or to talk to them about advertising your tourism business in next year’s guide.